Like every year, October 1st – International Day of Older Persons – is an opportunity for the associations of the international federation of Les Petits Frères de Pauvres to send out a strong message. All over the world, actions have taken place. The aim was to honor the elderly and combat the isolation they can suffer. Despite differing cultural and economic realities, the struggle is a common one. Their commitment is a daily task that would not be possible without the exceptional support of volunteers. Today, the International Federation of Petits Frères des Pauvres brings together some 25,000 volunteers.
Here is a non-exhaustive selection of the actions that have taken place within the international network.
Freunde alter Menschen (Munich, Germany)
Freunde alter Menschen celebrated the International Day of Older Persons with a special outing to the Oktoberfest in Munich. A group of seniors, aged between 82 and 98, accompanied by volunteers, took part in this festive outing. After a tour of the festival grounds, they enjoyed a typical Bavarian meal under a marquee, accompanied by a beer. The event was a unique and convivial experience for the seniors.
Amigos de los Mayores (Spain)
Amigos de los Mayores marked the day with a series of initiatives in several Catalan towns. The association also published a manifesto for the respect and integration of the elderly, available below. In addition, a newsletter was sent to 20,000 people, including volunteers and donors, to highlight the importance of the day.
Institut Prolepsis (Greece)
Institut Prolepsis chose to focus on raising awareness. To this end, they issued a press release highlighting the importance of the International Day of Older Persons, and distributed this information to their volunteers. In addition, the association organized a day trip on September 14 to Nafplio, a historic city in the Peloponnese, with the participation of 50 beneficiaries and volunteers. The outing was a great opportunity for the elderly and volunteers to spend some quality time together.
Mali Bracia Ubogich (Poland)
In Poland, Mali Bracia Ubogich chose to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons by offering flowers to senior citizens in the streets and at the events in which the association took part. Each senior citizen was presented with a rose, symbolizing recognition and respect.
LBFE – San Francisco (United States)
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly in San Francisco has launched an intergenerational program called Creativity Connect. The program brings together two volunteers and an elderly person to collaborate on a creative project during 7 to 8 sessions spread over 12 weeks. The aim is to enable the people involved to bond with the volunteers around a fun activity, while learning about the world of computing.
Friends of the Elderly (Ireland)
The Irish association organized a series of events from September 27 to October 7 to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons. The festivities began with a musical cabaret for 80 participants and a televised church service broadcast on RTÉ, watched by over 40,000 people. On October 1, the Mayor of Dublin joined in a celebration accompanied by the An Garda Síochána orchestra, attended by 80 guests and covered by the national press. An electronic publication was also sent to their members to promote positive aging. Other events, including a meal for people with reduced mobility and a comedy evening, are also on the program.
Never Alone (Romania)
In Romania, the Never Alone – Friends of the Elderly association inaugurated a new social center for the elderly in Ploiești on October 1. The center aims to provide a space where seniors can take part in social activities, such as adapted yoga classes, creative workshops and outings. The center, based on the model established in Bucharest, operates free of charge for all seniors from Monday to Friday.
Les Petits Frères des Pauvres (France)
As it does every October 1, Les Petits Frères des Pauvres released its annual report. This year’s theme was “Aging with dignity”. Through a study carried out throughout France, this report highlights the often overlooked situation of precariousness among the elderly. In France, 2 million elderly people live below the poverty line. The report is accompanied by a photo exhibition featuring portraits of a number of elderly people supported by the Petits Frères des Pauvres.
Here the report : Vivre sous le seuil de pauvreté quand on a 60 ans et plus. – 1er Octobre – Petits Frères des Pauvres (petitsfreresdespauvres.fr)
